Reindeer Writing

I used this cute Rudolph art project that I got from Amy from Step Into Second Grade  (click on the picture to go to TPT to download this freebie).

I had my students color their reindeer any way they wanted.  They could decide where they wanted to put bow (to make it a boy or girl), what color they wanted the nose (Rudolph, a regular reindeer), etc.  Then they glued it onto a piece of construction paper and decorated a background scene.  I was sneaky...I didn't tell them why (don't you just love being sneaky with your students...I do!).

The next day I gave them back to the class and told them to write a story about their reindeer.  I told them they could write anything they wanted.  I gave them the writing paper and they were so excited.  I don't normally give them a free writing project (too much state test prep), so this was sooooo much fun.  Can you imagine the conversations I heard about their reindeer's adventure??? Too cute!  Here is a picture of the writing paper I gave them.

Here are some of the papers the students turned in..

          

          

Aren't they cute???

Holiday Linky Party

I'm linking up with Tania at Mrs. Poultney Ponderings is having her first linky party ever.  She shared where she will be spending the holidays.  I had to jump on this one.

I will be enjoying the holidays with my family here at home in wonderful Frankfort, Illinois.  My parents will be traveling to Virginia to be with my brother's family after Christmas, but we won't be traveling with them.

My 20 year old will be home from college, my 7 year old already has sugarplums dancing in his head, and after my little accident...I am so ready to just be off of work and enjoy some family time. 

So I won't be going anywhere exciting like Tania this holiday season, but I wouldn't change it for the world! Now it is your turn...go to  Mrs. Poultney Ponderings and link up where you will be spending your holidays.  This is her first linky party, so let's show her some holiday love!

Bloggy Friend Giveaway

Lisa from Learning is Something to Treasure is having a wonderful 12 days of Christmas giveaway.

She is on day 9, but if you click on her site you can go to each day's giveaway and freebie.  It is wonderful!  Hop on over to join this great giveaway!

Germs, Germs, Go Away...

Tis the season for lots of germs, Fa La La La La La La La La.....

So I don't know if germs have hit your school yet, but it has struck mine!  My grade level was the only complete grade level at school the other day!  We had so many subs in the building the regular staff felt like the outsiders!!!!

Well here is a fun activity that I usually do in January, but decided to do it early.  It's called Germs, Germs, Go Away....  I have a cute poster that I put on a bulletin board.  Then I print out the little cards with healthy and unhealthy ways to keep germs out of our classroom.  After the class decides which category they belong in, we then discuss them all.  After that, I have the children make their own tips.  I then add them to the bulletin board to remind the students how to remain healthy during this germy season.

Here is a picture and the link to my TPT store where you can pick it up.  Hope you like it!

December Door

I wanted to share my door for December.  I have the students come up with 4 things they can give to someone for the holidays that DO NOT cost any money.  Some of my students were so cute.  They said I can make a bracelet for my friend, can I do that...yes you can.  I can give my mom a hug, can I do that...yes you can.  They were so cute talking with each other about gifts they can give without money.


Here is a picture. The sign says "Gifts that Money Can't Buy".  I added gift bows to each student's paper to make it look like a present.  Didn't it turn out cute???

Character Education

I wanted to share how my character education board and program are working so far this year.  This first picture is of my bulletin board.  I have it on the main board in my classroom, right in front of them all day long.  I change my thought of the week poster each week to match my character trait of the week.  The Character Traits of the Week came from Lisa Richling.



 

 

Here is the bulletin board.

 

I like to use table points to reward good behaviors.  Instead of using a points board or part of my chalkboard to record points, I decided to use warm fuzzies.  I have these cute little buckets on each group.  When someone in the group is following class expectations, I tell them they deserve a warm fuzzy from me (boy do my third graders smile from ear to ear when they get to add a warm fuzzy to their bucket each time)!  At the end of the day we do a "Warm Fuzzy Count". 

The group that earned the most warm fuzzies throughout the day gets a red strip in their pocket.  The group with the most red strips at the end of the week gets a bunch on their behavior card.  Once their behavior card is full of punches, they will earn a reward scratch off ticket.

 

Here are the pockets for each group.  I am amazed how well this is working out.  My students nag me remind me at the end of each day if I don't remember to do the warm fuzzy count.  It is really working out well, and I love hearing my class talking about warm fuzzies!!!  :)

 

Holiday Freebie Linky Party

Casey over at Second Grade Freebies is having a linky party for Holiday Freebies.  I had to join up.  Click on her picture to join the linky. 

Click on my picture below to get a fun holiday coupon book that I give my students each holiday.  You can either cut it out and staple it into a booklet, or give it to them on one sheet and they can cut out a coupon when they want to use it.

If you could leave me a comment to tell me if you liked this, it would brighten my day!  :)